Pep Talk by Madeline Rhodes: Review

by Gabe Finch May 31, 2024

May 31, 2024

Madeline Rhodes is back with a new single, “Pep Talk,” and this time she’s giving herself a good talking to. This catchy indie-pop anthem is the third release from her upcoming album, The Brothel, and it’s a relatable gem for those of us who have a rather outspoken inner critic.

“Pep Talk” opens with a rumbling groove that sets the stage perfectly for Rhodes’ vocals. Her voice is soft and youthful, but the frustration bubbles beneath the surface. The clever use of layered backing vocals adds another dimension, making the negativity in her head feel all too real and bringing the lyrics to life.

The lyrics are brutally honest, as Rhodes lays bare her self-doubt and self-sabotaging tendencies. With lines, “criticizing, paralyzing, go outside and stop your whining, no one’s listening anyway,” she personifies her self-doubt and hits close to home as she does so.

But “Pep Talk” isn’t all doom and gloom. The steady beat and layered backing vocals create momentum, propelling the song forward. Rhodes’ voice soars, urging the thoughts to “get out of my head” because she is “supposed to be my own best friend.” Beneath the struggle to change, she conveys to us that first, we must demonstrate the self-acknowledgment.

“Pep Talk” is a fun, catchy song with a serious message. It relates because we’re all our own worst critics sometimes, but it is also a red flag marker and a sign you need to silence those negative voices and start cheering yourself on.